Create your own spa getaway with these easy-to-make DIY shower bombs! The next time you need a bit of rejuvenation, toss a shower bomb in the bottom of your shower and enjoy the wonderful scent or create a collection of these homemade shower bombs as a gift for someone you love.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1 cup citric acid (available at health food stores or online)
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 30+ drops of your favorite aromatic essential oil (see our suggestions below)
Directions:
Mix together the baking soda and citric acid in a medium-size bowl. In a separate small bowl or bottle, mix together water and essential oil. Slowly add the oil-water mixture a few drops at a time into your dry ingredients, stirring well after each addition (a stand mixer works well for this). When ingredients are thoroughly mixed, tightly pack into 2-inch balls using your hands, a stainless steel cake pop mold, or a cookie scoop. Set on a plate to dry. If necessary, pack the balls again more tightly. Allow to dry for 12+ hours before using.
To use, simply place a bomb near your feet under warm running water and enjoy the aromatic experience!
Suggested essential oil additions:
- Morning Fresh Shower Bombs: Add 30 drops of Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil to a batch for an invigorating and fresh aromatic experience.
- Orchard Stroll Shower Bombs: For a sweet, refreshing aromatic journey, add 30 drops of Citrus Fresh™ Oil to a batch.
- Day’s End Shower Bombs: Add 30 drops of Lavender Essential Oil to a batch to enjoy a relaxing aromatic addition to your shower time.
Would you like to experience the full package of a Spa Day? Then follow us in this journey of a 6 steps to a DIY spa day and learn how to make these amazing DIY geode bath bombs.
Which Young Living essential oils will you add to your shower bombs? Let us know in the comments!
Hi can I leave out the citric acid?
Hey Deborah! For this recipe you do need to use the citric acid because it is what binds the shower bomb. However, when I browsed online I found some other recipes that didn’t have citric acid as the binding agent. Feel free to combine recipes as well as different essential oil combinations to create your bath bombs. Let us know how it goes and have fun experimenting!
How many bombs does this recipe make? Approximately?
Can you use the V6 oil with this recipe?
I am new to Young Living, and so excited to try fun DIY recipes! In my kit there was the March 2017 newsletter which had a small section about bath time with your kids. They suggested this blog to find out how to make bath bombs. I know my 4 year old would love to make and use something like this, but I’m concerned about it being safe for him? He will splash in the tub and there is a risk he could get the water in his eyes. Essential oils are not “tear free” by nature, so I’m wondering if this would be ok. Anyone else with kids make these bath bombs? Did you use a different amount of oils?
I do not recommend bath bombs for infants and todllers because of the baking soda and citric acid. Ask your doctor as all children are different.
I mixed the ingredients and rolled my balls. As they dried they grew, a lot. Did I do something wrong?
Hey Rita! Sometimes if you add too much liquid to the mixture they will expand more than they should. I am not sure if that is what happened, but when you make them again, just watch how much liquid (either the citric acid or the oils) to the mixture. Hope that helps!
I believe the citric acid is a powdered product, not a liquid. Unless it comes in more than one form. The citric acid I have is a powder.
Wolfie, you are correct. The citric acid we used in this recipe is a powdered product. I believe you can get liquid citric acid, but for this recipe you will want to use the powered! Thank you for catching our mistake! Thanks for stopping by!
I want to make a 150 or so of these for an event. How soon should I make them beforehand so the oils don’t lose their scent?
Hi Heather, At this time no testing has been done to determine the length of time the smell will last. We suggest packaging them after creating and using the shower bombs within a few days. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
I used a silicone mold and it works well. I also popped in a 175 * oven for a hour to try quicker.
Where did you find the silicone mold and what shape was it?
Hey Kristie. You can find a silicone mold online. Likewise, the nice thing about the bombs is that you can use whatever shape of mold you would like. Some people have even used ice cube trays for convenience. I would start by looking online to see what type of mold you want and where are the best places to order whatever mold you choose. Hope that helps!
can I use a fragranced shower gel with an essential oil?
I have found that if you use the citric acid last and mix of won’t fizz. Also use mica for color.
Can you use this in the bath? And can you add a little food coloring to add color to the bombs or would it just dye your skin when you use it?
Hi Coral, The shower bombs can also be used in the bath! As we have not tested the shower bombs with the use of food coloring, we are unable to guarantee that it won’t dye your skin. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
I have made these with 3 drops of food color and they work perfectly! they do not dye the tub or you skin! also I find that 30 drops of any oil is very strong! I use 6 drops of the peppermint in my batch that makes 5 bath bombs and even that makes my skin tingle in the tub. I absolutely LOVE these oils an the bath experience is heavenly!
this blog is about Shower bombs not bath bombs, shower bombs needs more essentail oil to be effective since you’re not soaking in it.
I have put food color directly in the tub for my kids and have never had a problem.
Yes you absolutely can! I use it in mine. Use small amoints , like 4-6 drops in your water mixture. The tub is large enough thst the color won’t “stay on your skin”.
Ok….This sound fabulous on the surface but I haven’t seen anything about the fact that these are SHOWER bombs and not BATH bombs. Won’t they just wash away quickly down the drain as you shower? Would it be better to use a bath bomb? And if so, what, if anything, would need to change in the recipe?
Hi Sherry, The shower bombs can also be used in the bath! Either method will provide a beautiful aromatic experience when you need a getaway. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
I can’t wait to try these, they sound like they would make wonderful gifts.
How about essential oils in a hot tub? Would they be safe to use there?
Hi Shirley, There are some concerns about the essential oils eating away at some types of plastic parts or filters in hot tubs. However, many people have used the oils (in small amounts) in their hot tubs without harmful results to the filters or tubs, but you may want to test different amounts of different oils before using large quantities. The manufacturer of the hot tub should be able to identify whether essential oils could possibly damage it. Thank you for stopping by!
If you feel like it’s fizzing too much to where it’s hard to work with– cut back on the citric acid, as that is what makes it fizz.
If you are trying to use a silicone mold and are finding it’s not staying together well try adding a little bit of cornstarch.. Baking soda is meant to do this, however if you’re needing a little bit of help cornstarch will do the trick. Or I suppose you can try adding a little more baking soda.
I plan on making some. I’m going to make some with RC. So many possibilities. A nice hot shower or soak in the tub feels good. Adding in some essential oil shower bombs would make things even better!
I’ve tried these and don’t get much aroma in the shower. Any suggestions?
Hi Mel, Thanks for stopping by with your question. You could always try adding more essential oil drops to the recipe to see if that would help increase the scent/aroma. We hope this information is helpful!
I’m going to make some to give as gifts!
I made mine in silicone molds! I mixed Lavender, Stress Away, and Frankincense :) can’t wait to use them!
Curious to how they turned out?
Great thread! Thanks everyone for your hints & questions. I don’t think you can go wrong!
I would use Lavender oil for the shower bombs!
This is what I did, and it made it so much easier.
I mixed everything according to the directions, except that I made a half batch. I added Eucalyptus Radiata oil to mine, and I spooned all of the mixture into a 24-space mini muffin tin, pressing tightly. Once I had all the spaces filled and pressed tightly, I took half of them out, flipped them over, and pressed them into the other half. So I combined two, packing them tightly again. So the half batch made 12 bombs. Now I’m going to make another half batch in a different scent. In the end I’ll have 24 bombs the size of a mini muffin. Packing it tightly into a muffin tin is way easier than trying to make a ball. And once they are dry, you can stack and wrap them.
Great idea, Kimberly! Thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions with us here! We hope you enjoyed this DIY!
Awesome idea!!! I’m going to try this!
I don’t get how they would mash together and not make a mess and fall apart? I’d like to try it :)
Can these be used, as bath bombs as well as shower?
Hi Kathy, Yes, you can use the shower bombs in the bath as well. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
Is this available as a pdf or an infographic?
Hi Rob, This Shower Bomb DIY is not currently available as a PDF or an infographic, but thanks for the great suggestion for future posts! Thanks for stopping by!
Just made these and I made some in molds, but they were small so I had extra. Made the balls but then I put them in parchment paper cups in a muffin tin and they expanded adorably and wanted to share since it was low-mess and cute presentation. I did use the witch hazel instead of water and found they dried nicely.
Good thinking with the Witch Hazel, going to try that
I have been invited by a Young Living member to also become a member and I will be taking the plunge on Jan 3rd! I must say I can’t wait to see how your oils work for me!
At a YL party I recently attended, I won a free gift; a Lavender & mint infused lip balm! I am in love with this balm! I will be trying my hand at making these shower bombs as well very soon!:0)
Welcome Donna! You won’t be disappointed! Do you happen to have the recipe for the lip balm? Sounds wonderful!
I have had problems with the bombs being very fizzy and overflows the mold. What have I done incorrectly?
Hi Chris, It sounds like you’re doing everything just right. The shower bombs usually continue to expand as they dry, so that is why it is important to pack and repack them tightly before placing into the mold. We hope this information helps!
I can’t wait to try out this recipe!! If I want to make one batch of the dry ingredients, can I just divide it up to make bombs with different oils?
Hi Cindy, We can’t imagine why that wouldn’t work! Feel free to get creative when making your shower bombs. We’d love to hear how they turn out too! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for this recipe. I am so looking forward to following this recipe for some Christmas gifts for family and friends. I love to create special gifts. It’s so much more from the heart to make and gift!
These keep fizzing! I cannot get them to stop! I have tried to mold them and they just become flat pancake looking messes. I reform and they go right back to pancake form. What can I do?
Hi DD, Sorry to hear the shower bomb mixture isn’t working for you. Have you tried using a stainless steel cake pop mold, or a cookie scoop to hold the shower bombs together? We hope this information helps!
I have had this problem when I first starting making them. Use a water mister or sprayer and slowly spray in the water until it barely clumps when you squeeze the mixture. A bit too much and it will fizz and go flat. I don’t know if you can fix it afterwards. Good luck next time!
Has anyone tried making these with silicone molds? I’m thinking it would work similar to the cake pop mold. Thoughts?
Hi Natalie, Thanks for your question! We found that the stainless steel cake pop molds work best because the shower bombs are much more difficult to remove from the silicone molds in one piece. Stainless steel molds tend to help the shower bombs hold their shape, while silicone molds tend to break the shower bombs more easily upon removal. We hope this information is helpful. We’d love to hear about your experience when you make them! Thanks again!
What do you wrap them in when finished?
Hi Stephanie, We chose to wrap our shower bombs in cellophane once they were dry and removed from the mold. A tightly sealed container will work too. Thanks for stopping by!
I made some toilet fizzies with a small silicone mold (square shaped) and they came out great. I had no problem getting them out of the mold, it was actually easier then the metal pan I used for my shower fizzies.
Toilet fizzies! What a great idea!
I just now tried this recipe. The container of Citric Acid that I ordered off Amazon was not even a full cup. So I will find out in a day or two if these shower “bombs” come out the correct way.
I made them in a 6 cup muffin tin so mine will be huge! Oh, and I made them with Eucalyptus G. essential oil!
I haven’t had success with my last attempts at shower bombs. They always smell great when making them but I can’t smell them in the shower. Recipes I’ve used are similar to this. Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong?
Hi Mary Kate, Great question. You could try including a few extra drops of your preferred oil into the mixture before molding or packing the ingredients to see if that will help. Best of luck experimenting! Thanks for stopping by!
When it says 2 inch, do you mean 2 inches in diameter? I’m having a hard time imagining 18 big shower bombs out of the recipe, but that would be great. I have had very few people interested in bath salts because they all say they don’t have time for baths. I love this and am glad to finally know what a shower bomb is. This would be great for Christmas gifts, so that’s why I wondered about the size. Thanks.
Hi Lela, Thanks for stopping by with your question regarding the size of the shower bombs. The shower bombs should be no bigger than 2 inches in diameter. When forming the shower bombs, you may want to make them even a little smaller than that since they do tend to expand as they dry over time. Don’t forget to pack or even repack them as tightly as you can to get them to your desired size. We hope this information is helpful and that you enjoy making them. Thanks again!
i let people know that the bath salts also work for foot soaks. most people have some kind of pail they can fill with warm water to soak feet in while they watch tv or play on the internet. I just tell them to dump a couple table spoons of the bath salts into the water and stir.
Mine really expanded in size after I put them on the plate to rest! Did I do something wrong? I repacked as directions suggested! LOL
Hi Misty, Thanks for your question. It sounds like you are doing everything just right! Due to the ingredients used, the shower bombs do tend to continue to expand until dry. That is why it is important to pack them as tight as you can or even go back and repack them a few times over to make sure they are as close as they can be to the desired size. We hope this information is helpful and that you enjoyed this DIY!
What’s the best way to store and how long can you store them for full benefit.
Hi Lynne. Great question. The sooner you use the Shower Bombs, the better, but they should last several weeks if stored properly. Thanks for stopping by!
I store mine in a large glass jar on the counter in my bathroom. Then I can grab a bomb and toss it in the show just as I get in. Plus it looks nice and spa-like.
What a great idea! I am going to make these for my granddaughters and daughter-in law for extra Christmas gifts. I might even keep a few for me.
Does this make the bottom of your shower slippery at all?
Hi Kara, thanks for your question. The shower bombs shouldn’t make the bottom of your shower slippery, but it is always best to use caution just in case. Thanks for stopping by!
I loved the smell of the Lemongrass in the Morning Start™ Bath & Shower Gel so I think I will try Lemongrass and perhaps the Eucalyptus.
How many does this batch make?
Hi Brittany, Thanks for stopping by! Your question seems to be a very popular one. Results may vary but the recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
I used StressAway! I can’t wait to use in my evening shower to relax from my day!
You going to love these oil bombs. They make great gifts for Christmas or hostess gifts. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. We love making these. We add the water to the mix with a re- purposed, empty Thieves Spray bottle. The mister helps us to not be too “heavy handed” when adding the water to the Baking Soda/Citric Acid mixture. We make up a bunch unscented and then personalize them at the time of use. We also make smaller ones to toss in the toilet or for a foot soak. Some oils we’ve used in ours include: Christmas Spirit oil, Raven oil, Myrtle oil, Lavender, Stress Away, Gratitude, Harmony, Release, RC, Frankincense, Egyptian Gold, as well as one of the diffuser blends you’ve suggested in previous blogs.
Thanks for the great ideas and suggestions, Terrie!
How did the shower bombs do when you personalized them with oil? Did they expand at all?
Hi, Love this idea. About how many will the recipe make? Thanks!
Hi Rhonda, Thanks for your question. The recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
Tis the season for Christmas Spirit! That would be my December Oil.
Great recipe! I’m assuming these can be used in baths also? Thanks!
Hi Amy, Thank you and yes, you can use the shower bombs in the bath as well. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
How many does one batch make?
Hi Sarah, Thanks for your question. It seems to be a very popular one! The recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
How many does one batch make. And how do you use them?
Hi Dawn, Your question seems to be a very popular one. Results may vary, but the recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. To use, simply place a shower bomb near your feet under warm, running water when you’re in the shower. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
How many balls does a batch make?
Hi Natalie, Great question. The recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
How many shower bombs does the recipe make?
Hi Kris, Thanks for your question. The recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. We hope you enjoy this DIY!
I’ve also used Eucalyptus. It’s great in the shower when you need a pick me up.
How many shower bombs will this recipe make?
Hi Stacy! The recipe should make somewhere between 18-24 shower bombs depending on the mold used and how tightly you pack them. Thanks for stopping by!